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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott Captures 2022 NIFA SAFECON Championship

For the first time since 2019, NIFA SAFECON hosts an in-person national championship at the Ohio State University Airport.

Ashley Barajas
Ashley Barajas

Embry Riddle-Prescott is the 2022 NIFA SAFECON Champion [Courtesy: NIFA Facebook]

For the second consecutive year, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott captured the NIFA SAFECON national championship Saturday at the Ohio State University Airport (KOSU). It marks the 14th time the school has won the competition’s top title.

A full list of events and winners is below:

SAFECON Championship

  1. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
  2. University of North Dakota
  3. LeTourneau University-Longview

Flight Events Championship

  1. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott 
  2. University of North Dakota
  3. LeTourneau University-Longview

Ground Events Championship

  1. University of North Dakota
  2. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
  3. Southern Illinois University

Judges Trophy

  1. University of North Dakota
  2. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
  3. Southern Illinois University

Loening Trophy

  1. Auburn University

Men’s Achievement Award

  1. Aric Anderson: Minnesota State University-Mankato
  2. Eric Tivy: Auburn University
  3. Mateo Argote: LeTourneau University-Longview

Women’s Achievement Award

  1. Victoria Lorenzon: Kent State University
  2. Claire Reader: Oklahoma State University
  3. Maggie Hearn: Auburn University

Coach of the Year:

  1. Scott Vlasek: University of Nebraska- Omaha

Competition Safety Award 

  1. Auburn University 

Aircraft Preflight Inspection

  1. Camden Deller: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  2. Jebadiah Sussenbach: University of North Dakota
  3. Devyn Thurman: Ohio State University

Aircraft Recognition

  1. Rasheed Adamu: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  2. Kenrick Vail: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  3. Joe Taylor: University of North Dakota

Computer Accuracy

  1. Jamie Gallagher: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  2. Matthew Cleveland: University of North Dakota
  3. Caroline Kelley: University of North Dakota 

CRM/LOFT

  1. Joe Taylor: University of North Dakota
  2. Ryan Fitzgerald: University of North Dakota
  3. Ryan Leach: United States Air Force Academy

American Airlines Safety Award 

  1. Auburn University
  2. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  3. Liberty University

Red Baron Team Sportsmanship Award

  1. Oklahoma State University

Top Pilot

  1. Joe Taylor: University of North Dakota
  2. Hayden Morse: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
  3. Joseph Turner: LeTourneau University-Longview

Top Scoring Participant 

  1. Joe Taylor: University of North Dakota
  2. Hayden Morse: Embry Riddle-Prescott
  3. Joseph Turner: LeTourneau University-Longview

Regional Top Pilot

Region 1: Dylan Beal: Metropolitan State University of Denver
Region 2: Douglas Niemela: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
Region 3: Kyla Albrecht: Western Michigan University
Region 4: Simon Awcock: LeTourneau University-Longview
Region 5: Jebadiah Sussenbach: University of North Dakota
Region 6: Benjamin Morris: Southern Illinois University
Region 8: Janes Hanover: Embry-Riddle-Daytona
Region 9: Josh Engberg: Liberty University

Outstanding Team Member

  1. Owen Brennan: University of Nebraska-Omaha 
  2. Gabriel Witt: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  3. Angelo Molina: Western Michigan University

Certified Flight Instructor

  1. Victoria Lorenzon: Kent State University
  2. Anna Scott: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  3. Jason Walter: Metropolitan State University of Denver

Ground Trainer

  1. Ryan Leach: United States Air Force Academy
  2. Eleanor Brown: Ohio State University
  3. Joe Taylor: University of North Dakota

Instrument Simulated Flight

  1. Joseph Mucklestone: United States Air Force Academy
  2. Christopher Shields: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  3. Christian Mickan: St. Louis University

Message Drop

  1. Carson Wells and Aaron Schwartz: University of North Dakota
  2. George Biery and Ryan Leach: United States Air Force Academy
  3. Shane Oatman and Giles Beebe: United States Air Force Academy

Power Off Landing

  1. Hayden Morse: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  2. Joseph Turner: LeTourneau University-Longview
  3. Joe Taylor- University of North Dakota

Short Field Landing

  1. Hayden Morris: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
  2. Joe Taylor: University of North Dakota
  3. Joseph Turner: LeTourneau University-Longview

Simulated Comprehensive Aircraft Navigation

  1. Jebadiah Sussenbach: University of North Dakota
  2. Mikayla Weiss: University of North Dakota
  3. Matthew Arnovick: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott

Traditional Navigation

  1. Dominic Parenti and Noah Pattani: Ohio State University
  2. Joe Taylor and Carson Wells: University of North Dakota
  3. Ryan Leach and Caden Stine: United States Air Force Academy

Unlimited Navigation

  1. Ryan Fitzgerald and Matthew Cleveland: University of North Dakota
  2. Gabriel Witt and George Fiscu: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
  3. Max Langerud and Caroline Kelley: University of North Dakota

Twenty-eight university teams with almost 500 students competed in 12 events to test their aviation knowledge and skills at the event.

The 2022 NIFA SAFECON was the first in-person competition since 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Dale Gelter, assistant director of airport operations at the Ohio State University Airport, supports NIFA as a way for students to network with industry professionals and gain lasting friendships. 

“For Flight Team competitors, SAFECON is the event that challenges you at new airports and tests your piloting skills,” he said in a statement. “It’s also the place where you make lifelong friendships with other people in the aviation industry. It’s a privilege to have been involved as a student during college, a NIFA judge, and an administrator at a host airport.”

Brynne Barr, an Ohio State Flight Team member a freshman at Ohio State University, expressed their passion for NIFA.

“Flight Team has presented me with an incredible opportunity to refine my pilot skills, build meaningful relationships with my peers, and make connections with many experienced and passionate individuals in the aviation industry,” they said. “As a freshman, I am thrilled to return these next three years as a competitor, and after that as a coach and proud alumnus.”

auburncollegecompetitionFlight Schoolflight teamNIFASafeconUniversity
Ashley Barajas
Ashley BarajasWriter
Based in Texas, Ashley is the former Marketing Manager at FLYING and focuses deeply on training and education. She graduated from the Baylor Institute for Air Science with a Bachelor's in Aviation Science and holds an MBA specializing in Marketing. She is an also instrument rated private pilot and licensed FAA dispatcher.
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